Molecular Hydrogen Institute (MHI) Commitments
The Molecular Hydrogen Institute is a science-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research, providing education, and improving understanding of molecular hydrogen and its potential biological and therapeutic effects.
Our commitment is to follow the evidence wherever it leads. We seek to understand what molecular hydrogen does, what it does not do, how it may work, and where the evidence remains uncertain.
Our Commitment to the Science
MHI does not claim that molecular hydrogen cures cancer or any other disease. Molecular hydrogen has been investigated in a wide range of experimental and clinical settings, with evidence suggesting effects on cellular signaling, oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial function, and other biological processes. However, the strength of the evidence varies considerably depending on the condition, intervention, and outcome being studied.
Promising findings should be investigated rigorously without being exaggerated beyond what the evidence can support. Findings from cells or animal models cannot automatically be assumed to apply to humans, and even encouraging human studies require appropriate replication and confirmation.
Molecular hydrogen has generally demonstrated a favorable safety profile under the conditions studied. Nevertheless, MHI does not recommend using molecular hydrogen, or any other complementary intervention, as a substitute for appropriate medical care.
Certification and Commercial Independence
MHI certification reflects completion of MHI educational requirements. It does not mean that MHI endorses every statement, product, business activity, or recommendation made by a certified individual. MHI reserves the right to revoke certifications that are materially misrepresented or used to support claims contrary to MHI’s educational and scientific standards.
MHI does not promote, sell, or endorse specific molecular hydrogen products, manufacturers, or brands. Discussion of hydrogen technologies, administration methods, or product characteristics for educational purposes should not be interpreted as endorsement of a particular commercial product.
Likewise, financial support, sponsorship, donations, or other relationships with MHI do not constitute endorsement of a company or its products and should not determine MHI’s scientific conclusions.
Conflicts of Interest and Scientific Independence
One potential concern with the name Molecular Hydrogen Institute is that it may give the impression that we have already concluded that molecular hydrogen is clinically effective. We recognize that this could create, or at least appear to create, a confirmation bias toward favorable findings.
For that reason, we believe it is especially important to actively look for evidence that challenges our assumptions. Our objective is not to prove that molecular hydrogen works. It is to determine what the evidence actually supports.
We therefore consider favorable, null, conflicting, and negative findings to all be important to the scientific process. We have reported and published null findings ourselves. Learning what does not work, under what conditions an effect disappears, and where earlier conclusions fail to replicate can be just as important as identifying positive effects.
MHI receives revenue through educational activities, donations, and other mission-related support. We recognize that these relationships can create actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Our responsibility is to disclose relevant relationships while maintaining the independence of our scientific conclusions.
MHI Founder and Executive Director Tyler W. LeBaron, MSc, PhD, also has professional and commercial relationships within the molecular hydrogen field that are separate from MHI. He is Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of InhaleH2 and participates in outside speaking, consulting, advisory, research, educational, and commercial activities. These relationships do not constitute endorsements by MHI.
Additional information is available in Tyler W. LeBaron’s personal disclosures.
Our Standard
We are comfortable changing our conclusions when better evidence becomes available, and we are comfortable saying we do not know when the evidence does not justify a stronger conclusion. Our commitment is not to a predetermined conclusion about molecular hydrogen.
Our commitment is to understanding the science as accurately as we can and communicating it as honestly as we can.